Salem South constituency: people want traffic congestion, mosquito menace, and drinking water issues addressed

Residents of Salem South demand solutions for traffic congestion, mosquito issues, and inadequate drinking water supply ahead of elections.

Salem South Assembly constituency, considered an AIADMK stronghold, covers Salem Corporation’s 23 wards (37 to 60). The entire Kondalampatti zone and a few wards at the Ammapet zone in the Corporation come under this constituency.

The AIADMK has won eight times (1977, 1980, 1984, 2001, 2006, 2011, 2016, and 2021) in the constituency, while the Congress has won four times (1952, 1957, 1962, and in 1991). After the emergence of the Dravidian majors, the Congress did not secure a win, except in 1991 when they were in alliance with the AIADMK. The DMK has won twice in this constituency (1989 and 1996).

Salem South has a large number of weavers and people involved in the textile businesses in Ammapet, Dadagapatti, and Gugai. Silver anklet workers also constitute a significant number in Nethimedu, Maniyanoor, and Dadagapatti.

Ahead of the elections, people residing in the constituency highlighted civic issues like traffic congestion, sewage channels, mosquito menace, and drinking water issues.

V. Periyasamy, a resident of Ammapet, said that most of the roads dug for underground drainage works in the locality were relaid in the past six months and noted that the pressing problem here was drinking water. Drinking water is supplied once in 10 days and only at night. “We have raised this issue to the Corporation multiple times, but no action was taken,” he added.

Palanisamy, a resident of Periyar Nagar, said that for the past 20 years, due to the absence of proper drainage, sewage water and rainwater flow over the roads during rain.